3.6 Measurement and Unit Conversions

ATI TEAS 7 Nursing Admission

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1 Introduction to the ATI TEAS 7

1.1 About the ATI TEAS 7 Exam 1.2 Content Area Breakdown 1.3 Scoring and Program Requirements 1.4 Building Your TEAS Study Plan

2 Reading

2.1 Identifying the Main Idea 2.2 Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions 2.3 Summarizing and Paraphrasing 2.4 Understanding Text Structure 2.5 Author's Purpose, Tone, and Point of View 2.6 Evaluating Arguments, Evidence, and Credibility 2.7 Integrating Information and Interpreting Graphics 2.8 TEAS Reading Strategies, Pacing, and Practice

3 Mathematics

3.1 Whole Numbers and Basic Operations 3.2 Fractions 3.3 Decimals and Percentages 3.4 Ratios and Proportions 3.5 Algebra and Equations 3.6 Measurement and Unit Conversions 3.7 Statistics and Data Interpretation 3.8 Geometry Basics

4 Science

4.1 The Cardiovascular System 4.2 The Respiratory System 4.3 The Digestive System 4.4 The Nervous System 4.5 The Musculoskeletal System 4.6 The Urinary and Reproductive Systems 4.7 Cell Biology and Genetics 4.8 Chemistry Basics 4.9 Scientific Reasoning and the Scientific Method

5 English & Language Usage

5.1 Grammar and the Parts of Speech 5.2 Sentence Structure 5.3 Punctuation 5.4 Spelling and Word Usage 5.5 Vocabulary in Context and Word Parts 5.6 Paragraph Organization and the Writing Process 5.7 Formal vs. Informal Language, Audience, and Tone 5.8 TEAS English Section Strategies and Pacing

3.6 Measurement and Unit Conversions

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

The metric system is built on powers of 10, so converting between metric units only moves the decimal point

To move to a SMALLER unit, multiply (decimal moves right); to a LARGER unit, divide (decimal moves left)

Memorize the bridge conversions: 1 kg = 2.2 lb, 1 inch = 2.54 cm, 1 L ≈ 1.06 qt

Household-to-metric for dosing: 1 tsp = 5 mL, 1 tbsp = 15 mL, 1 fluid ounce = 30 mL

Dimensional analysis arranges conversion factors as fractions so unwanted units cancel and only the target unit remains

Last updated: October 2026

Why Conversions Matter

Measurement and unit conversion belong to the TEAS Measurement and Data reporting area, and they are clinically important math. A misplaced decimal in a unit conversion is exactly how medication errors happen, so the exam stresses accuracy. You convert within the metric system, between metric and US customary units, and into household units patients actually use at home (teaspoons, tablespoons, cups). Master a small set of equivalencies and one technique — dimensional analysis — and every conversion question becomes mechanical.

The Metric System Runs on Powers of 10

Metric units share base units (the gram for mass, liter for volume, meter for length) and add prefixes that multiply or divide by powers of 10. Because each step is ×10, converting means only moving the decimal point.

Prefix Symbol Value Example
kilo- k 1,000 1 kg = 1,000 g
hecto- h 100 1 hL = 100 L
deka- da 10 1 dam = 10 m
(base) — 1 gram, liter, meter
deci- d 0.1 1 dL = 0.1 L
centi- c 0.01 1 cm = 0.01 m
milli- m 0.001 1 mL = 0.001 L
micro- mcg / µ 0.000001 1 mcg = 0.000001 g

A memory device for the order kilo → hecto → deka → base → deci → centi → milli is "King Henry Died By Drinking Chocolate Milk." Each step left divides by 10; each step right multiplies by 10.

Converting Within Metric

Moving to a smaller unit (e.g., g → mg) → multiply (decimal moves right).

Moving to a larger unit (e.g., mg → g) → divide (decimal moves left).

Conversion Multiply / Divide
kg → g × 1,000
g → mg × 1,000
mg → mcg × 1,000
L → mL × 1,000
m → cm × 100
cm → mm × 10

Example: Convert 2.5 kg to grams. kg is larger than g, so multiply: 2.5 × 1,000 = 2,500 g .

Example: Convert 4,500 mg to grams. g is larger than mg, so divide: 4,500 ÷ 1,000 = 4.5 g .

US Customary and Cross-System Conversions

The US customary system does NOT run on powers of 10, so each equivalency must be memorized.

Measure Equivalents
Length 12 in = 1 ft; 3 ft = 1 yd; 5,280 ft = 1 mile
Weight 16 oz = 1 lb; 2,000 lb = 1 ton
Volume 8 fl oz = 1 cup; 2 cups = 1 pint; 2 pints = 1 quart; 4 quarts = 1 gallon

To cross between systems, memorize these bridge conversions : 1 kg = 2.2 lb , 1 inch = 2.54 cm , 1 L ≈ 1.06 qt . Temperature is converted with formulas rather than a factor: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32 and °C = (°F - 32) × 5/9 .

Household-to-Metric for Dosing

Patients measure liquids at home in spoons and cups, so nurses translate to metric. These approximate equivalencies appear directly on the TEAS:

1 teaspoon (tsp) = 5 mL
1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 15 mL (so 3 tsp = 1 tbsp)
1 fluid ounce (fl oz) = 30 mL (so 2 tbsp = 1 fl oz)
1 cup = 240 mL ; 1 L = 1,000 mL
Dimensional Analysis (Factor-Label Method)

Dimensional analysis treats conversion factors as fractions equal to 1 and arranges them so the unwanted units cancel diagonally, leaving only the target unit. Set up the chain, cancel, then multiply across the top and divide across the bottom.

Worked Conversion: A patient weighs 176 lb. Convert to kilograms using 1 kg = 2.2 lb . 176 lb × (1 kg / 2.2 lb) = 176 / 2.2 = 80 kg . The "lb" cancels, leaving kg.

Worked Conversion: An order says give 10 mL of a syrup; how many teaspoons should the caregiver give at home? Use 1 tsp = 5 mL : 10 mL × (1 tsp / 5 mL) = 10 / 5 = 2 tsp .

Perimeter, Area, and Volume Units

Measurement questions also test geometric size. Perimeter (distance around) uses the same units as length (cm, in). Area (space inside a flat shape) uses square units (cm²); rectangle area = length × width. Volume (space inside a solid) uses cubic units (cm³); a box's volume = length × width × height. One handy clinical link: 1 mL = 1 cm³ , which is why a 10-mL syringe and a 10-cm³ volume describe the same amount.

Recap

Within metric, just slide the decimal — multiply going smaller, divide going larger. Across systems and to household units, anchor on the memorized bridges (2.2 lb/kg, 2.54 cm/inch, 5 mL/tsp, 15 mL/tbsp, 30 mL/oz) and run them through dimensional analysis so the units cancel. Track whether the answer should be square (area) or cubic (volume) units, and remember 1 mL equals 1 cm³.